CDR Curtis Cruthirds is a native of Pensacola, Florida and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1992 as an undesignated Airman. He was accepted into the Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST) Program in 1993, and received his commission through ROTC at the University of Mississippi in 1998; receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

CDR Cruthirds’ first tour of duty was aboard USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71) in the Air Department/V-0 division as an undesignated Airman, which saw a deployment to the Mediterranean in response to Operation DENY FLIGHT.

After receiving his wings in 1999, CDR Cruthirds’ reported to VP-16 War Eagles in Jacksonville, FL; receiving all qualifications to include Mission Commander and Instructor Tactical Coordinator. During his time in VP-16, CDR Cruthirds was deployed to Puerto Rico and South America as well as the Mediterranean.

Following VP-16, he was selected as the Flag Aide to the Commander, Iceland Defense Force and reported to Keflavik, Iceland in 2003. He finished his Flag Aide tour while standing up Fleet ASW Command (now Naval Mine and Warfare Command) in San Diego, CA.

In 2005, CDR Cruthirds reported to the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76) as an Assistant Air Operations Officer where he qualified as both an Air Operations Officer and an Officer of the Deck, Underway. While attached to CVN-76, CDR Cruthirds completed a deployment to the Persian Gulf.

Following CVN-76, he was selected to attend the Naval War College in Newport, RI; graduating in January of 2008. CDR Cruthirds’ next tour was with Multi-National Forces, Iraq in Baghdad, Iraq. While in Iraq, he was selected for VP Department Head.

In 2009, CDR Cruthirds reported to the VP-1 Screaming Eagles out of Whidbey Island, WA where he served as the Tactics Officer, Command Services Officer, Training Officer and Maintenance Officer while completing deployments to both the Persian Gulf/Iraq and Misawa, Japan.

Following his DH tour in 2012, CDR Cruthirds reported to U.S. Southern Command, Joint Intelligence Operations Center in Miami, where he would hold the position of Theater Analysis Division, South America Branch Chief.

CDR Cruthirds reported to the “TALONS” of VTC-12 as Executive Officer in April 2015. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various campaign and service awards.

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